Upstate students experience a night living in poverty

Imagine having to support a family of four on a $23,000 a year income. Eighteen percent of people living in South Carolina don't have to imagine. They live it.

Most students attending Clemson University don't know what it's like to wonder where they'll get their next meal, or how they will pay for a bus pass to get to work. But during a simulation Thursday night, dozens of students got a taste of life below the poverty line.

Students were separated into "families." Each family was given a fixed income and had to decide between things like medical care or food.

"I absolutely can't imagine what it would be like at all," said Caitlyn Carlile.

Organizers say the object of the exercise was to expose students to the realities the poor live with every day.

"We want to spark their interests. Get them helping and serving and giving back to the community," said Emily Nuss.